With electricity demand in California forecast to increase by 7.5% by 2030, due in part to data center demand, and 42% by 2045 as buildings and transportation electrify, California’s grid is at an inflection point. Utilities across the state are looking for a way to...
Transmission
Making Connections: A history of the regional electrical lines that shaped the U.S. grid
The story of regional interties in the U.S. is also the story of our modern grid. Nearly one hundred years ago, the construction of a 44-mile, 220 kV transmission line marked the beginning of a power pool linking three utilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Now...
Federal Transmission Pricing Volume 2: Options for Ensuring Affordability and Reliability in an Era of High Load Growth
Modeling the Order 1920 Benefit Metrics
In May 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order 1920, a landmark rule requiring long-term, proactive regional transmission planning to meet future energy needs. Key to Order 1920 is a requirement for benefit evaluation via seven metrics for...
Testimony on Transmission Permitting for House Energy & Commerce Committee
Federal Transmission Pricing Volume 1: The Evolution of Current Policies and Practices
Winter Storm Fern Shows the Value of Transmission and Diverse Generation
In late January, Winter Storm Fern revealed how dramatically power generation varies by region and fuel type, and how avoidable supply constraints can quickly drive up consumers’ energy costs. Fern’s impact was especially severe in the regions covered by the Southwest...